La Grande Sure circular starting from the Col de la Charmette

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Magnificent view of the Chartreuse and the plain from the summit of the Grande Sure. The first part, from the car park to the summit of the Grande Sure, is the most difficult with scree. The descent from the summit to the Col de la Vache must be undertaken with caution. The rest is easier. The return after the Col d'Hurtières is through the woods.

Details

n°82153733
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.10 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 877 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 873 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,917 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,261 m
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Photos

Gemini Cricquet
Start of the climb to the Pas de l'Âne
Summit of the Grande Sure
Path to the Col d'Hurtières

Description of the walk

Access to the hike by car, no public transport. You can park at the Charmette car park (choice of route) or at the Chalet de la Charmette car park located higher up.

The path is well marked either by signs or yellow markings.

(S/E) Take the wide path that climbs up to the chalet.

(1) Pass in front and follow the direction of Pas de l'Âne. You will reach a fork in the road.

(2) Follow the signs on the right towards Col de la Grande Vache. Leave the forest and reach the pass.

(3) Descend towards the Col de la Sure.

(4) Take the path opposite to reach the summit of Grande Sure, marked by a cross. Magnificent view of the Chartreuse massif on one side and the Isère river flowing through the valley on the other.

(5) Descend to the Col de la Sure.

(4) Turn right for about 50 metres, then keep left on the path towards Col d'Hurtières, passing at the foot of the cliff. Be careful to stay along the cliff and not take the path that leads to the Hurtières refuge. Reach the pass.

(6) Begin the descent to the right towards Vararey.

(7) Continue straight ahead on the path leading to Goulet de Lorzier and turn left. Walk along Rocher de Lorzier and reach a crossroads near Vararey.

(8) Take the path on the left through the forest, following the yellow markings. Pass by Rocher de Pré Large and continue the descent to Chalet de la Charmette.

(1) Turn right to return to the pass car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,261 m - Car park - Col de la Charmette
  2. 1 : km 0.32 - alt. 1,271 m - Chalet de la Charmette car park
  3. 2 : km 1.06 - alt. 1,381 m - Pas de l'Âne
  4. 3 : km 3.29 - alt. 1,710 m - Col de la Grande Vache (1712m)
  5. 4 : km 3.59 - alt. 1,677 m - Col de la Sure (1675m)
  6. 5 : km 4.48 - alt. 1,917 m - Grande Sure
  7. 6 : km 7.82 - alt. 1,723 m - Col d'Hurtières
  8. 7 : km 8.21 - alt. 1,751 m - Fork to the left
  9. 8 : km 9.5 - alt. 1,671 m - Vararey
  10. S/E : km 14.1 - alt. 1,261 m - Car park - Col de la Charmette

Notes

Good footwear and walking sticks are recommended. Follow the signs and yellow markings. Take care on the climb between Col de la Sure and the summit, as well as during the descent.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 2 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
Jeffrey38
Jeffrey38
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent panorama.
The Vararey meadow is really pretty when it's in bloom.

Machine-translated

rodriguezbernard
rodriguezbernard

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

in terms of visitor numbers, yes, for the climb from Col de la Charmette to Grande Sure
but from the Col de la Sure to the Col d'Hurtière and Vararey, the path is not very busy.
And sometimes, after the Col de Hurtière to Vararey, you can see ibex.

Machine-translated

Dominol
Dominol

The Hurtières Pass is at point 7 and not at point 6 as indicated when zooming in on the map at 1:25,000

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

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Walking La Grande Sure via the Col d'Hurtière

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Walking La Grande Sure via the Cols de la Vache

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La Grande Sure par les cols de la Vache
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Walking Loop under the Grande Sure

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Boucle sous la Grande Sure
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Visorando member
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↔14.38 km ↗+925 m ↘-919 m ◔6h 45 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse (Isère)
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